The largest ever European survey into lesbian and bisexual women’s health, has just been released. The report, carried out by Stonewall and De Montfort University, reveals exclusion from routine testing for cervical cancer.
Prescription for Change, a survey of 6,000 lesbian and bisexual respondents, suggests that health services are failing to identify specific healthcare needs among Britain’s 1.8 million lesbian population. They are also failing to address specific mental health needs that many women still experience as a result of discrimination. The survey, the biggest of its kind ever conducted outside America, provides unique new statistics on the mental health, drinking and drug use of lesbian and bisexual women
One in five lesbian and bisexual women were told that they did not need a smear test.
37,000 lesbian and bisexual have been refused a smear test, even though they requested one.
This misleading information has led to one in five lesbian and bisexual women thinking that they are not at risk of cervical cancer.
49% of the people interviewed have not come out to their GP, for fears that they may be discriminated against.
Since April 2007, it has been unlawful for public services to discriminate against lesbians and bisexual women.
However, half of those questioned reported some negative experience of healthcare in the last year.
One in ten lesbian and bisexual women said that when they came out to a health worker, they were either ignored or faced hostility.
“Healthcare workers continually assume I am heterosexual and ask inappropriate questions about my relationships,” said Maya, from the South West.
“I am often lectured about safe sex and preventing pregnancy without being given a chance to say that I do not sleep with men anymore.”
However, the survey found that lesbians and bisexual women are in better physical shape than heterosexual women.
26 per cent of lesbian and bisexual women are overweight, compared to 32 per cent of heterosexual women.
Two thirds of lesbian and bisexual women smoke or have smoked, compared to half of women in general.
Nine in ten lesbian and bisexual women drink, and 40 per cent of them drink three times a week, compared to a quarter of women in general.
They are also five times more likely to have taken drugs; one in ten have taken cocaine, compared to 3 per cent on the heterosexual women.
Copies of the full report and the accompanying case studies are available at www.stonewall.org.uk/lesbianhealth.
